Feed mechanism for wire-bound box-blank machines



H. G. MEAD. FEED MECHANISM FOR WIRE scum) BOX BLANK MACHINES.

LICATION FILED JULY 14 I911- EIEW APP i l ED DEC- 20, 1919- 1,397,439,Patented Nov. 15, 1921.

3 EEEEEEEEEEEE I.

H. G. MEAD.

FEED MECHANISM FOR WIRE BOUND BOX BL'ANK MACHINES. APPLICATION FILEDJULY 14,1911. RENEWED 050.211.1919. 1,397,439.

Patented Nov. 15; 1921..

3 SHEETSSHEET 2.

H. G, MEAD. FEED MECHANISM FOR WIRE BOUND BOX BLANK MACHINES.

APPLICATION FILED JULY 14,19H- RENEWED DEC- 20,1919- 1,397,439.

Patented NOV- 15, 1921.

a SHEETS-SHEET a.

1 n E. -f

HOWARD Gr. MEAD, OF ST. LOUIS, MISSOURI, ASSIGNOR, BY lF/JIESNEASSIGNMENTS, TO VTIREBOUNDS EATENT$ COMPANY, OF KITTEB/Y, MAINE, ACORPORATION OF MAINE.

FEED MECHANISM FOR 'WIRE-BO'UND BOX-BLANK MACHINES.

Application To all to 700m it may concern:

Be it known that l, HOWARD G. MEAD, a citizen of the United States ofAmerica, and resident of city of St. Louis, Missouri, have invented acertain new and useful improve ment in Feed Mechanism for Wire-BoundBox-Blank Machines, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to machines for making wire bound box blanks of thekind in which reinforcing cleats are secured along the edges of theblank, and in which the different sections of the blank are flexibly orfoldably connected together by a plurality of binding wires extendinglongitudinally thereof, the usual method being to secure the cleats tothe blank by the staples which straddle the binding wires. In themanufacture of boxes of this character, it has been the general practiceto employ wood veneer for the side walls thereof, and under theprevailing methods of manufacture it was found preferable to use largesheets of veneer, whereby each'side of the box would be composed of buta single integral sheet of veneer. Lumber or stock of this charac teris, howcve more or less expensive, as very wide sheets of veneer must betaken from selected stock. On the other hand, narrow strips of veneerare often left over in the form of scrap material, and these narrowstrips are, of course, cheaper and more economical to use than the largesheets. As stated, though, the character of the boxes, the uses forwhich they are often employed, and the character of the machinery weresuch that only wide sheets of veneer could be used with entiresatisfaction. For example, these boXes are preferably made with tightcorners, and for many kinds of merchandise the sides of the box must beperfectly tight and free from cracks or crevices. it was recognized thatif narrow strips of veneer could be used, the cost of production ofthese boxes would be reduced, but as no method or machinery was knownfor insuring a tight joint between the meeting edges of said narrowstrips, in order to guard against cracks or crevices in the sidesof theboxes, material of this kind was not used, notwithstanding that greatquantities of it would in time accumulate in the manufacture of boxes ofthis kind.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Fig. 1.

lPatented Nov. 15, 1921.

lediJuly 1 911, Serial No. 638,575. Renewed December 20, 1919. SerialNo. 346,437.

of narrow strips into position to form a single side or section of theblank, with their edges held tightly together, and the wiring togetherof these strips of veneer while their edges are thus compressed tightlytogether, whereby when the blank is converted into a box the side wallsthereof will be perfectly tight and free from cracks or crevices,notwithstanding that each side wall will be composed of a plurality ofnarnow strips of veneer.

It also contemplates a feed mechanism for box blank machinery of thiskind, in which provision is made for crowding the narrow strips ofveneer tightly together as they pass under the staplers, by causing thesaid strips of veneer to successively move ahead a little faster thanthe blank as a whole is moving, whereby any gaps or cracks between theedges of the veneer will be immediately closed up or eliminated bycausing the edges of the veneer to be compressed tightly to gether, andwhereby the strips of veneer are crowded tightly together immediatelybefore the staples are dri en by which. the binding wires and cleats aresecured in place along the edges of the blank, as will hereinafter morefully appear. I

To the foregoing and other useful ends, my invention consists in mattershereinafter set forth and claimed.

In the accompanying drawings-v Figure 1 is a. side elevation of wirebound box blank machine embodying the principles of my invention.

Fig. 2 is a perspective of a wire bound box blank of the kind producedby the new machine embodying the principles of my invention.

Fig. 3 is a plan of the machine shown in l is a longitudinal section ofthe said machine.

Figs. '5 and 6 are detail sectional views showing the manner in whichone of the feed, wheels is adjustably secured to the shaft to permit themanufacture of blanks of different widths.

Figs. 7 and 8 are detail views of the friction drive orpulley which hasa slip connection with the shaft upon which it is mounted. f

Fig. 9 is an enlarged sectional View of two edge portions of the veneeror lumber from which the sides of the blank are made, showing the twoedges brought together by a tongue and groove formation.

Fig. 10 is a similar view, showing the two edges interlocked by what isordinarily known as a ship-lap.

, As thus illustratechthe said machine is of that well known and generaltype in .which the blanks are carried under the staplers A by means of atraveling work-holder B [composed of.a plurality of parallel endless inkbelts. Theselink belts are carried on sprocket wheels mounted ontransverse shafts b, b, and the said endless traveling work-holder thusprovided is actuated in the direction indicated by the arrow by theusual ratchet feed mechanism C which is operated by a cam c on the driveshaft D at the bottom of the machine. The cleats 1 of the blank are heldin pockets in the said chains or link belts, in the usual and Well knownmanner, and are suitably spaced apart therein, as by the well knownspacing blocks. The narrow strips of veneer 2 are laid upon the tops ofthe cleats, in any suitable manner, and as the work passes under thestaplers the cleats are secured to the 'veneer by the insertion ofstaples which straddle the binding wires 3 of the blank, these wiresbeing fed from reels in the usual and well known manner. The machine isadjustable for blanks of different width, in the usual and well knownmanner, by the provision of hand wheels E and E on theshafts b and '6,whereby one of the link belts or chains can be moved toward and awayfrom the other. The staplers are actuated in the usual and well knownmanner by the cross head'a which is operated by the pitmen a which areconnected at their lower ends with the eccentric cams (H, which latterare on the main drive shaft. The machine thus far is old and'well knownand does not require any further explanation.

It will be seen that when the machine is runningwith narrow strips ofveneer 2, there being several strips for each section or side of theblank, thereis at such time considerable danger of the said veneer beingsecured in place in such manner that cracks or crevices will showbetween the edges thereof when the'blank is converted into a box. Thestrips of veneer can be made of substantially uniform width, and with"straight and clean edges, but notwithstanding this, there is, asstated, more or less liability of the strips being secured in place withslight space between their edges,

and this would render the boxes unsatisfactory in use. In order toinsure against this trouble, an auxiliary feed mechanism is provided forslightly advancing e'ach strip of veneer before it passes under thestaplers, whereby each strip of veneer is stapled in place to thecleats, and each succeeding strip of veneer is shoved up tightly againstthe preceding strip before it is in turn secured in place upon thecleats. This auxiliary feedmechanism comprises the transverse shaft Grwhich extends across the machine immediately above the travelingworkholder and immediately in front of the staplers, the said shaftbeing mounted in suitable bracket bearings g at the ends thereof, whichbearings may be suitably secured to the frame of the machine. Upon thisshaft G there is mounted a pair. of toothed feed wheels 9 and 9 whichfeed wheels are adapted to engage the tops or upper surfaces of thestrips of veneer 2, at points immediately above the cleats 1, and tothereby feed the said strips of veneer forward a little faster than theyare made to move by the endless traveling work-holder. For this purposethe shaft G is preferably driven by a friction drive connection, such,for example, as a belt 9 extending from a pulley g on the shaft G, to apulley g on the shaft D, which latter pulley is shown in 'Figs. 7 and 8.The said pulley g is mountstrip immediately ahead; and until the next orsucceeding strip of veneer is encountered the'said feed wheels continueto rotate and feed the veneer at the same rate of speed at which theendless traveling work-holder is moving. Then as soon as another stripof veneer is engaged by the feed wheels g and g and if some space existsbetween this strip and the-one immediately ahead, the adjustment of thepower transmission or friction drive for this auxiliary feed mechanismis such that the feed wheels g and g move a little faster than thesaidrate of speed until the said space is closed up and in this way thestrip of veneer is caused to jump or move suddenly ahead to an extentsufficient to bringits forward edge into firm engagement with the rearedge of the strip tent, so to speak, as it moves part of the time inunison with the endless traveling work-holder, and part of the time at agreater rate of speed, whereby gaps or spaces between the adjacent edgesof the veneer are closed up and eliminated before the strips ofveneerare secured in place upon the cleats. In this way it becomes possible touse narrow strips of veneer, such, for example, as frequently resultfrom an accumulation of scrap material, and boxes thus made will havesides which are perfectly tight and free from cracks or crevices.

In order that the machine may be em ployed for making blanks ofdifferent widths, the shaft Sr is preferably threaded for a portion ofits length, and the feed wheel g is provided with a spline or feather 9that is movable along the groove in the said shaft. The feed wheel g isprovided with a hub which is rotatably connected with a nut g in anysuitable manner, which nut engages the screw-threaded portion of theshaft Gr, whereby rotation of this nut will operate to adjust the feedwheel 5/ lengthwise of the said shaft, thus varying the distance betweenthe two feed wheels in accordance with the widths for the blanks.

From the foregoing it will be seen that I have provided a machine whichmakes it possible to utilize a cheaper grace of material which washeretofore considered unsuitable for the manufacture of wire bound boxesof this kind. Each side of the box can be composed of as many strips ofveneer as may be desired, and regardless of the number they will all becrowded tightly and firmly together by compression of their edgestogether, whereby the result and effect are practically the same asthough a single sheet of veneer had been used for each side of the box.

If desired, and particularly in the manufacture of large boxes, in whichthe venee' or lumber is of considerable thickness, the edges of thestrips can be formed with tongue and groove, or with a ship-lap, wherebywhen the edges are brought together they will engage tightly and in amanner that will tend to pre *ent one edge from warping inwardly oroutwardly and away from the other. This is shown in Figs. 9 and 10, andit will be readily understood that the interlocking of the edges of theveneer can be accomplished in many other ways. In any event, though, andby employing my improved auxiliary feed mech nism, these edges willalways be compressed tightly together to insure against cracks orcrevices in the sides of the finished box.

The traveling work-holder is, of course, stationary while the staplesare ,being driven. It follows, therefore, that the feed wheels g and gare also stationary while the staples are being driven. These feedwheels have three distinct actions as follows: First, they move at ahigher rate of speed than the traveling work-holder, to cause the stripof veneer whichthey are engaging to move ahead and eliminate the gap orspace between its forward edge and the rear edge of the strip ahead.Second, the said feed wheels then move at the same rate of speed as thetraveling work-holder, whereby the strip of veneer which was shovedforward then continues moving at the same rate ofspeed as the travelingworkholder. Third, the said feed wheels stand still and remainmotionless each time the staples are driven. Thus the entire operationof the auxiliary feed mechanism is automatic, as it adjusts itself tothe conditions of the work and the mode of operation of the machine.

The feed wheels g and can be disposed quite close to the staplers, sothat the strip of veneer will be stapled to the cleats before itpassesout of engagement with the said wheels. Also, if desired, a secondset of similar wheels H can be positioned in front of the wheels g and 9on a shaft it like the shaft G, and connected with the latter by asprocket chain it, whereby the desired forward pressure will always beexerted on the veneer, regardless of the width thereof, to insure thecompression together of the edges thereof.

W'hat l claim as my invention is :2

1. In a machine for making wire bound box blanks, the combination of amain feed mechanism for causing the cleats and strips of veneer to movealong in properly assembled relation, mechanism for stapling the veneerto the cleats, and an auxiliary feed mechanism operative to crowd thestrips of veneer tightly together before they are secured to the cleats,said auxiliary feed mechanism operating at a higher rate of speed thanthe main feed mechanism while closing up the gap or space between anytwo strips of veneer, and having provisions for run ning at the samespeed as the main feed mechanism as soon as the said gap or space isclosed up or eliminated.

2. ln'a machine for making wire bound box blanks, the combination of anendless traveling work-holder for carrying the cleats and strips ofveneer in properly assembled relation, mechanism for stapling aplurality of strips of veneer to each cleat, where-- by each side orsection of the blank will be composed of a plurality of strips of veneerand a plurality of cleats extending transversely thereof, and mechanismengaging said strips of veneer, to crowd them tightly together beforepassing under the stapling mechanism, whereby gaps or spaces areprevented from occurring between the edges of the strips of veneer ofeach separate side or section of the blank.

3. In a machine for making wire bound box blanks, mechanism for feedingthe cleats and strips of veneer thereof at a given rate of speed, andmechanism for causing the strips of veneer to move faster at a certainpoint in their path of travel, to cause the edges of said strips ofveneer to be brought tightly together, and mechanism for securing thestrips of veneer to the cleats after the edges of the strips have beenthus brought tightly together.

4:. In, a wire bound box blank machine, the combination of a travelingwork-holder for advancing the cleats and strips of veneer in properlyassembled relation, a toothed feed wheel for engaging the strips ofveneer, means for operating the said feed wheel to cause the strips ofveneer when thus engaged to move faster than the work-holder, wherebythe edges of the veneer for each side or section of theblank' arebrought tightly to- .feed mechanism for the veneer, engaging thehorizontal surface thereof, said auxiliary feed mechanism beingoperative to feed the veneer faster at intervals than the said main feedmechanism, when the veneer is not in proper position, and being held inrestraint by said main feed mechanism when the veneer 1s in properposition.

7. A wire bound box-blank machine comprising means for successivelywiring together the several sections of the blank, and mechanism forautomatically crowding together the strips of each section, before thesame are wired to the cleats thereof, said mechanism being arrangedltoact continuously onthe top of the blank.

8. A wire bound box-blank machine comprising means for successivelywiring together the several sections of the blank, and mechanism forautomatically shifting the sheet material on the cleats, toproperly'position the same, before the wiring together thereof,saidmechanism being arranged to act continuously on the top of the blank.

. 9. A wire bound box-blank machine comprising means for successivelywiring toget-her the several sections of the blank, and mechanism forautomatically crowding together the strips of each section, before thesame are wired to the cleats thereof, said mechanism being arranged toact continuously on the top of the blank, together with .a travelingfeed chain which governs the movement of the blanks through the machine.

10. A wire bound box-blank machine comprising-means for successivelywiring together the several sections of the blank, and mechanism forautomatically shifting the sheet material on the cleats, to. properlyposition the same, before the wiring together thereof, said mechanismbeing arranged to act continuously on the top of the blank, togetherwith a traveling feed chain which governs the movement of the blanksthrough the machine.

11. A machine for making box-blanks by stapling together cleats andsheets, comprising intermittently operating means to feed the cleats andsheets in unison, at a given rate of speed, mechanism actingcontinuously on said sheets and tending to move a following sheetforward into edge contact with a preceding sheet, without changing thefeeding motion of the cleats, and means to fasten the sheets on thecleats. V

12. A machine for making box-blanks by stapling together cleats andsheets, comprising intermittently operating means to feed the cleats andsheets in unison, at a given rate of speed, mechanism actingcontinuously on said sheets and tending to move a following sheetforward into edge contact with a preceding sheet, without changing thefeeding motion of the cleats, and means to fasten the sheets on thecleats, said mechanism being'arranged to crowd the sheets edgewisetogether, and means to space the cleats apart between their ends. 7

13. .A machine for making box-blanks by stapling together cleats andsheets, comprising intermittently operating means to feed the cleats andsheets in unison, at a given rate of speed, mechanism actin'continuously on said sheets and tending to move a following sheetforward into edge contact with a preceding sheet, without changing thefeeding motion of the cleats, and means to fasten the sheets on thecleats, said mechanism being retarded by and in step with said meanswhile the cleats and sheets are moving in unison. 7

let. A box blank machine comprising meansto secure together cleats andveneer sections, means for advancing said cleats and sections inassembled relation for operation of said first mentioned means thereon,feeding mechanism acting on said veneer sections, and means to drive thesaid feeding mechanism at a rate of speed greater than that of theadvancing means, dependentin its operation on the existence of openspaces between said sections occurring between said feeding mechanismand securing means.

15. A box blank machine comprising means to secure together cleats andveneer sections, means for intermittently advancing said cleats andsections in assembled relation for operation of said first mentionedmeans thereon, feeding mechanism acting on said veneer sections, andmeans to drive the feeding mechanism synchronously with said ad vancingmeans and, contingently on the ex istence of open spaces between saidsections occurring between said feeding mechanism and securing means,operating to drive said mechanism at a speed greater than that of theadvancing means.

16. In a machine for makingwirebound box blanks, the combination of amain feed mechanism for causing the cleats and sheets to move along inproperly assembled relation; mechanism for securing the sheets to thecleats; and an auxiliary feed mechanism operative to advance the sheetson the cleats before they are secured to the cleats, said auxiliary feedmechanism, at times, operating at a higher rate of speed than the mainfeed mechanism and, at other times, operating at the same speed as themain feed mechanism.

17. In a machine for making wirebound box blanks, the combination of amain feed mechanism for causing the cleats and sheets to move along inproperly assembled relation; mechanism for securing the sheets to thecleats; and an auxiliary feed mechanism operative to deliver the sheetsto said securing mechanism, said auxiliary feed mechanism, at times,operating at a higher rate of speed than the main feed mechanism and,

at other times, operating at the same speed as the main feed mechanism.

18. In a machine for making wirebound box blanks, the combination of amain feed mechanism for causing the cleats and sheets to move along inproperly assembled relation; mechanism for securing the sheets to thecleats; and an auxiliary feed mechanism operative to position the sheetson the cleats, said auxiliary feed mechanism, at times, operating at ahigher rate of speed than the main feed mechanism and, at other times,operating at the same speed as the main feed mechanism.

19. In a machine for making wirebound box blanks, the combination ofmechanism for feeding the cleats and sheets thereof at a given rate ofspeed; mechanism for causing sheets to move faster than cleats at acertain point in their path of travel, to position the sheets on thecleats; and mechanism for securing the sheets to the cleats and bindingwire thereto after the sheets have been so positioned.

20. In a machine for making wirebound box blanks, the combination ofmechanism for feeding the cleats and sheets thereof at a given rate ofspeed; mechanism for causing sheets to move faster than cleats at acertain point intheir path of travel, to sa iva-the heets t sa fi s -m tned feeding mechanism; and mechanism for securing the sheets to thecleats and binding wire thereto. i-

21. In a wirebound box blank machine, the combination of means foradvancing the sheets and cleats in properly assembled rela-' tion; afeed wheel for engaging the sheets;

means for operating said feed wheel to. posi tion the sheets on thecleats; and means for securing the sheets to the cleats.

22. In a wirebound box blank machine,

wvire to box parts; a main feed mechanism for a plurality of sections ofcleats and sheets; means to space said sections; and an auxiliary feedmechanism for the sheets operative to position the sheets on the cleats.

24:. A machine for making wirebound box blankscomprising means to applybinding wire to box parts; a main feed mechanism for a plurality ofsections of cleats and sheets; means to space said sections; and anauxiliary feed mechanism for the sheets operative to cause the sheets toadvance on the cleats.

25. A machine for making box blanks comprising a main feed mechanism forthe cleats and sheets; and an auxiliary feed mechanism for the sheetsoperative to feedthe sheets, at intervals, faster than said main feedmechanism when the sheets are notin proper position, and being held inrestraint by said main feed mechanism when the sheets are in properposition. 7

26. A machine for use in making, wirebound box blanks comprising, incombination, means for feeding assembled cleats and sheets for a boxblank; means for securing binding wire to the cleats and sheets; andmechanism for automatically shifting the sheets on the cleats toproperly position the same before the wiring together thereof.

27. A machine for usein making wirebound box blanks comprising, incombination, means for feeding assembled cleats and sheets for a boxblank; means for securing binding wire to the cleats and sheets; andmeans for automatically feeding the sheets faster than the cleats toproperly position the same before the wiring together thereof.

28. In a box blank machine adapted to 0perate without interruption onmaterials for a plurality of boxes thecombination of a positive feed forcleats and associated sheets; and a preliminary yielding sheet feedingmeans for delivering sheets tosaid posltive 29. A machine for use inmaking wire-' plyingbinding wire thereto; means for positively feedingcleats and sheets and a sepaing, in combination, means for wiring asuccessionof foldably related box sections;

means for SPELClIlg said sections; means for positively feeding cleatsand associated rate and independent sheet feeding means adapted toadvance the sheets on the cleats.

A machine foruse in making wirebound cleat reinforced box blankscomprispositively feeding cleats and associated sheets; and a separateand independent sheet feeding means.

31. A machine "for use in making wirebound cleat reinforced box blankscomprising, in combination, means for wiring a succession'of foldablyrelated box sections; means for spacing said sections; means forpositively feeding cleats and associated sheets; and preliminary sheetfeeding means for automatically positioning the sheets on the cleats. i32 A'machine for use in making wireboundcleat reinforced box blankscomprising, in combination, means for wiring a succession of foldablyrelated box sections; means for spacing said sections; means for sheets;andsheet feeding means adapted to automatically" advance the sheets onthe cleats to position."

33. A machine for use in making wirebound cleat reinforced box blankscomprising, in combination," means for wiring a succession of foldablyrelated box sections; means for spacing said sectlons; primary means forfeedlng cleats and associated sheets step-by-step; and a continuouslyoperating preliminarysheet feeding means adapted to engage the sheets,and by advancing them more'rapidlythan the cleats, to position themonthe cleats for the wiring operation.

.34. A machine'forfuse in making'wirebound cleat reinforced box blankscompris ing, in combination, means for wiringa succession, of foldablyrelated box sections; means for spacing said sections; means forpositively feeding cleats and associated sheets; and I a preliminarysheet feeding means for automatically delivering sheets to said positivefeeding means, said machine being adapted to operate withoutinterruption on materials for a'plurality of boxes.

35. A machine for use in making wire-' bound, cleat-reinforced boxescomprising, in combination, means for wiring a succession of foldablyrelated box sections; means for spacing said sections; means for feedingcleats; and a separate and independent sheet-feeding means.

'36. A machine for use in making wiremeans for spacing said sections;means for feeding cleats; and "means for, advancing sheets on cleats. VJ

37. A machine for use in making wirebound, cleat-reinforced box blankscompriss, cessio'n of foldably related box sections; means for spacingsaid'sections; means for feedin cleats and sheet-feedin means to b 7 VZ:

position sheets on cleats.

:38. In a box blank machine adapted to operate without interruption onmaterials for plurality of boxes, the combination of means toapplybinding wire to box parts; means for feeding cleats; and a separate andindependent yielding sheet-feeding means. 1

39. A machine for use, in making wireboun'd boxes comprising, incombination,

means for wiring a succession of foldably related sections of cleats andsheets; means to cause relative progression between said wiring meansand the work; and means for pressing the sheets on the cleats to subjectthem in properly assembled relation to the wiring means, comprising apower driven roller adapted to engage the work.

40. A machine for use in making Wirebound boxes comprising, incombination, means for wiring a'succession of foldably related sectionsof cleats and sheets; means to c'auserelative progresslon between saidwiring means and the work; and means for pressing the sheets on thecleats'in such a manner as tosuhject them in properly assembled relationto thewiring means, comprising rotatable means adapted to engage thework. V Y

ll. A machine foruse in making wirebound boxes comprising, incombination, means for wiring a succession of foldably relatedsectionsof cleats and sheets; means to cause relative progressionbetween said wiring means and the work; and means for preventing thematerials from buckling, and for maintaining their relative positions,com prising power drivenrotatable means adapt ed to engage thematerials.

42, A machine for use in making-wirebound boxes comprising, incombination,

means for wiring a succession of foldably related sections ofcleats andsheets; means to cause relative progression between said 743.111 amachine for making wire-bound box blanks, mechanism for feedingbox partsat a given rate of speed; mechanism for causing box parts to movefasterat a certain point in their path of travel to causethe incombination, means for wiring a sucedges thereof to be brought tightlytogether; and mechanism for securing binding wire to box parts after theedges thereof have been thus brought tightly together.

44. A wire-bound box blank machine comprising means for successivelywiring together the several sections of the blank, and mechanism forautomatically crowding to gether the strips of each section before thesame are wired together said mechanism being arranged to actcontinuously on the top of the blank.

45. A machine for makinegbox blanks comprising a main feed mechanism forthe box parts; and an auxiliary feed mechanism for the sheets operativeto feed the sheets,'at intervals, faster than the said main feedmechanism when the sheets are not in proper position, and being held inrestraint by said main feed mechanism when the sheets are in properposition.

46. A machine for use in making wirebound bores having a plurality ofstrips of side material comprising, in combination, mechanism forapplying binding wire to box parts; a main feeding means for the boxparts; and a preliminary feeding mechanism constructed and arranged toengage the upper surface of said strips and advance the same to saidmain feeding means.

47. A machine for use in making wirebound boxes having a plurality ofstrips of side material comprising, in combination, mechanism forapplying binding wire to box parts; a positive feeding means for the boxparts; and a frictional feeding means to deliver box material to saidpositive feeding means comprising a driven roller adapted to engage saidstrips.

48. A machine for use in making wirebound boxes having a plurality ofstrips of side material comprising, in combination, mechanism forapplying binding wire to box parts; positive feeding means for the boxparts; and a preliminary feeding means to advance box material to saidpositive feeding means comprising a frictionally driven roller adaptedto propulsively engage said strips.

49. A machine for use in making wirebound boxes havinga plurality ofstrips of side material comprising, in combination, mechanism forapplying binding wire to box parts; positive feeding means for the boxparts; and frictional feeding means to crowd said strips tightlytogether and deliver them to said positive feeding means comprisingadriven roller adapted to propulsively engage said strips.

50. A machine for use in making wirebound boxes having a plurality ofsheets of side material comprising, in combination, means for applyingbinding wire to box parts; means for positively advancing the sheets ofside material; and a relatively fast friction feeder for successivelyforcing the sheets into desired close relation on said positiveadvancing means.

51. A machine for use in making wirebound boxes having a plurality ofsheets of side material comprising, in combination, means for applyingbinding wire to box parts; means for positively advancing the sheets ofside material; and a relatively fast friction feeder for successivelyforcing the sheetsinto desired close relation on said positive advancingmeans and maintaining such relationship during the wiring operation.

52. A machine for use in making wirebound boxes having a plurality ofsheets of side material comprising, in combination, means for applyingbinding w're to box parts; means for positively advancing the sheets ofside material; and a friction feeder for positioning the sheets on saidpositive means.

machine for use in making wirebound boxes having a plurality of sheetsof side material comprising, in combination, means for applying bindingwire to box parts; means for positively advancing the sheets of sidematerial; and a friction feeder for positioning the sheets on saidpositive means for maintaining such positioning dur- 7 ing the wiringoperation.

Signed by me at St. Louis, Mo.

HOWARD G. MEAD. Witnesses:

M. VVILLMANN, LrLLm E. MEAD.

